Tibet temple: Living Buddha in Lama Ridge Temple?

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Although Lama Ridge Temple is less than a hundred years old, it's renowned throughout the region. Local folks say the temple houses the most prestigious living Buddha in the area.

A new day has just begun.

In the yard of the Lama Ridge Temple, a family waits its turn. They've taken two hour bus ride so their newborn baby can catch a glimpse of the most famous living Buddha in the area and ask for advice in naming the child.

A pilgrim in Nyingchi prefecture, Tibet, said, "He is indeed the most prestigious living Buddha in the entire region."

91-year-old Chonyid is the living Buddha they speak about.

As the Abbot of the Lama Ridge Temple, he looks more like an ordinary Tibetan senior citizen.

He enjoys caring for flowers and plants. He also keeps a little dog, which follows him everywhere.

He said, "These rose trees were very small when we planted them, now you can see how big they have grown."

Although Lama Ridge Temple is less than a hundred years old, it's renowned throughout the region. Local folks say the temple houses the most prestigious living Buddha in the area.

The Lama Ridge Temple was originally a family temple, built by Chonyid's father-in-law back eighty years ago. The old temple was destroyed in an earthquake in the 1950s, after which Chonyid and his wife led locals in building a new one--the temple we see today. It's now being renovated. Over half of the workers are locals, who have come here voluntarily, and refuse payment for their services.

For Chonyid, he prefers to think of the Temple as a place for people to relax, regardless of their religious beliefs or ethnicity. He says he enjoys seeing people do what they like.

He said, "It's more than just a religious site. It's a place where people can relax. Followers can spin prayer wheels, while non-believers can sing and dance. This is a place where people can have fun."

Although Lama Ridge Temple is less than a hundred years old, it's renowned throughout the region. Local folks say the temple houses the most prestigious living Buddha in the area.

The Lama Ridge Temple might look secluded, but it pays attention to the goings-on of the outside world. Believers living in the temple have done all they can to help those suffering the misfortune of natural disasters. Over the years, the Lama Ridge Temple has donated over 440,000 yuan to the victims of devastating tsunamis, earthquakes, and landslides.

Chonyid, abbot in the temple, said, "Putting yourself in their shoes, you realize what a hard situation they are in. Although the money is not much, it shows I care about them."

Chonyid doesn't really consider himself a typical Buddhist monk. He admits he is not steeped in scripture.

But the message of love and caring he conveys to followers is the embodiment of his reputation as the most renowned living Buddha in the region.

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